The Toshiba M35S456 retail is $1999 (at their website or retail). This is a prebuilt machine. It costs this much as it has a DVD burner which is usually 150-200 dollars more than the CD-RW/DVD ROM that is fine for most people (especially in a notebook as opposed to a desktop). It also has 512mb RAM, 64mb dedicated video memory, 80gb 4200 hard drive, etc (it is fully loaded).
It is also the new Pentium M Dothan 1.7 Pentium M.

You can do 2 things:

1) if you like the Toshiba Trubrite (XGA resolution only but that is fine for most people) then you can order it custom online and delete the DVD burner and adjust down some other specifications (example, smaller hard drive, buy 256mb RAM and add more later for cheaper on your own (in 2nd slot), buy smaller hard drive, buy 32mb dedicated video instead (about $50 less but I would keep this one). Try this (custom configuration is called an M30 still at Toshiba) and see what you come up with.

2) I have an X1000 series Compaq which is identical to the HPZT300 series. It does not have the HP Briteview (equivalent) LCD in these models but some people have posted they can see their face in the Trubrite/Xbrite LCD's -- as it is like a piece of glass across the face that makes it so sharp.

So, if you decide not to get the Trubrite LCD you can custom configure the Compaq or HP online. Go to x1000forums.com and learn in the general section (read pinned at top and recent general) how to get all the rebates (100) and coupons (100) available. You can custom order and get lower memory, hard drive, etc. just as above. Many of the students do this and save money and you can add a faster hard drive and more memory yourself later if desired.

Note also that HP/Compaq gives you a student discount in addition to the $100 rebate and if you can get the $100 coupon. It is called APP and you can figure out how to access that also. You can order any notebook available on HPshopping (HP or Compaq) through APP (student discount) or EPP (Employer purchase program) if you have access to one of these.

Check also if Toshiba has a similar student discount online. I don't know about that as I am most familiar with the X1000 as I bought that at Circuit City over the M35S320 at the time.

The key was the Compaq/HP was cheaper for the same options (and they didn't have Trubrite at the time), the keyboard on the X1000/ZT3000 is excellent (you have to try it and compare especially to the Dells to see the difference), and there is no fan noise at all on the Compaq/HP (Toshiba M35 does run hotter and gets warm around the touchpad but this only a major issue if you really use it on your lap or other surface other than a flat table.

Both are 15.4" widescreen and have nearly identical features and weight (Toshiba is 6.2 and uses Nvidia graphics, HP/Compaq is 6.5 and uses ATI graphics). Note, you can order a higher LCD resolution on a Compaq/HP but make sure you really want to do this.